KOTA BELUD: A grandmother could not contain her sorrow when her sundry shop was razed in a fire at Kampung Sarang here, yesterday, just eight days after it was reopened.
Kanuoi Sambion, 59, said she had reopened her business on March 31 after the authorities allowed small sundry shops to operate again under the movement control order (MCO).
"I was happy as it would allow villagers to buy essential items without having to travel to town, which is about 40 km away, and expose themselves to the coronavirus.
"In town, there are still residents who do not comply with the MCO by practising the one-metre social distancing and wearing face masks," said Sambion, who has 14 grandchildren.
Her shop caught fire at about 9pm. In the incident, the sundry shop which provided essential items and sewing services was completely burnt.
She said more than 20 villagers came to help put out the fire using pails of water but failed as the blaze spread swiftly.
Meanwhile, district fire and rescue chief Muhammad Syazwan Latun said the department received a distress call at 9.16pm and immediately deployed nine firefighters to the scene.
"Upon arriving, the fire already destroyed 100 per cent of the shop. No injuries or casualties were reported.
"Firefighters managed to control the fire at 10.18pm," he said, adding the department is investigating the cause of the fire and losses.
